Parishioners hope to gather enough money to fix stonework at St Andrew’s Church in Tonypandy

Around £30,000 worth of work needs to be done to secure the future of Rhondda’s oldest church.

Parishioners are now appealing to the public for help and are working hard to find ways of raising the funds which will be used to renovate stonework at St Andrew’s Church in Tonypandy.

The church, which was dedicated on October 24, 1878, was founded by William Lewis, who was at that time the Perpetual Curate of Ystradyfodwg.

But now almost 140 years later, the church walls are in need of some special attention.

Church organist Barbara Thomas said: “In the last year, a lot of the stonework has deteriorated and there is water pouring into the building.

“We are applying for grants and loans, but as the church is used by the local community for events such as Remembrance Day and a few years ago the commemoration of the Miners’ Strike in Tonypandy, we are hoping the community will be able to help us.

“We are an active church and we’re hoping if we make an appeal that people might feel like they would like to donate and keep the church going.

“We have already held a sponsored silence and raised over £1,000 – as I don’t think many people thought we could be quiet at St Andrew’s.

“We also have a few other ideas lined up to raise more money such as a Desert Island Discs event, plus I’m playing in weddings every Saturday in August and I’m going to donate all of my fees towards the cause.”

Altogether, the congregation has managed to raise around £2,000 so far, with the promise of more money from others.

Barbara added: “If we don’t get this money, the future will be bleak for this building. Churches are closing more often than they are opening these days and so we need to get this work started before the winter as otherwise we will get a lot of damp.

“We are not a wealthy area and a number of us who come to the church are widows, so it’s not always easy for us to dig in.

“This is the centre of many of our lives and provides a focus and a sense of stability for us.”

Church wardens Mike and Jane Jones are also very much involved in the fundraising and grant seeking, as is Father Philip Leyshon, the priest at the church.

He said: “St Andrew’s Church is the oldest in the Rhondda and is the place where important community services are held.

“There were repair works done in 1988 and the church managed to raise money for that, so we’re hoping we can do it again. The sooner we do the repairs the better.”

To make a donation or to find out how you can help call, Mike and Jane Jones on 01443 434547.

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